Montague Simpson was a specialist in obscure Sim diseases and the virii that cause them. He knew all about the ancient GPD, a plague spread by small domestic pets, Vacation Tummy, and Simflu. He even knew about the lethally addictive qualities of a certain strange substance called Simdrug. But he didn't know much about people. His social skills were, let's say rudimentary.

His own daughter, Maya, found him very hard work, and in many ways, when he became a vampire, Maya was relieved to have an excuse to move out of their little cottage in Lincoln Green. Autumn Simpson was her stepmother, and their little house had virtually no privacy. And Montague liked to serenade Autumn at bedtime, and was utterly tone-deaf!

Maya went off to University and shared a small dorm with Jenny Smith, where they had a wonderful time entertaining Corfan Lothario and many others.

Now Montague's wife, Autumn, was an older woman, actually quite a bit older than he was. She was gainfully employed as a Matchmaker, but as this profession demanded total, singleminded application and focus, she had to give it up when she married him. Being a curious Sim who loved "experience for its own sake" as she put it, and because she had been brought up to believe a wife should follow her husband, she decided to join him in the vampire state.

For a little while it was fun. But having to sleep all day was something she really couldn't stand. She didn't like to bite people, even friends, and disliked having to stay indoors out of the sunlight. So she called up a friend in the trade and bought some potion to turn her back into a normal Sim again. After this, her life changed, or rather her feelings about it were different. She felt she had missed out, she had not achieved anything in her life. She wanted more. Aware that she was getting older, but knowing that while vampire life had offered eternal life, it had not been for her.

Chatting with a friend still in the Matchmaker business, she learned that there was a Magic shop in Lincoln city now, and what's more, that they were online. She could browse their stocks from home, no need to travel all the way into town or use public toilets!

She had a look, and discovered several things she wanted. One in particular was an Incantation Station, and a set of magical tools. Some books and she was all set up.

She wasn't interested in fashion, as the clothes for Elders were really not too inspiring, no matter how much she worked out. But browsing in her book, one spell in particular sounded exciting. It was a rejuvenation spell.

It took some time to assemble the ingredients. Butter and ginger were easy enough, but toadskin and red spotted mushrooms were harder. But after a couple of weeks she was ready to give it a try. Waiting till Montague was fast asleep in his coffin, she practiced the passes, her heart in her mouth. Nothing happened for a while, so she spoke the words she had learned by heart from the book. She felt tingly - strange - giddy - and suddenly it happened.

A wave of bright lights seemed to pass from her feet to her head, she turned round three times and suddenly - she felt strong, and young, and her skin felt tight.

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of course this is wish fulfilment, why not?

Looking in a mirror she thought, that's a very nice figure. Her hair remained white but was suddenly fuller and glossier. Well, that's all right, she thought. Gives me an edge over those preppy college girls. Now maybe I can tempt Montague to join me and we can start all over again!

However Montague was perfectly happy the way he was. "The thing is," he said, "As a vampire I don't age anyway. I don't get tired, I can party all night, or what is even better, I can play with my telescope all night!" He was curious about her spell book and spent a few nights reading it, but soon went back to his usual vampire activities.

Meanwhile she had been reading online, and had thought she would like to go to the local University. "Never had much education, we just grew up in the village looking after the sheep and the chooks," she said. "University sounds like fun but I'll need to study hard, to pass the exam. I can just about sign my name, never needed much writing."

Montague was horrified. "But you can read?"

"Oh yes, that's useful. But writing is only for filling in forms and such - never needed it. I keep my thoughts in my head."

Meanwhile Montague was pursuing his own interests, and had made a friend, a fellow vampire. "If you go to college, would you mind if I move in here with Montague?" she asked. "It would be so convenient..."

"Sure, you and Montague do what you like," she grinned.I'm going to be going away soon anyway, I hope. We are still married but I intend to do my own thing. I'm sure you can too."

Montague had his own plans for what he would do...

And so did Morticia.

Montague wandered off and called up his favourite astronomical website. "There is a photograph here of a celestial body that I have seen, a small planetoid that orbits close to the Moon, away on the side furthest from SimEarth, so that it is very hard to see. They call it Houdini. An expedition is planned, in a small ship called the Brandi."

"Brandy? that's a drink?"

"No, BRANDI. Apparently it's named after some famous person, but I have never heard of her... ah...I see... it was a condition of the grant from former Mayor Newbie that paid for the expedition."

Autumn shrugged. She was more interested in things closer to home. She had registered with a local school for tuition, to bring her up to university entrance standard. And she had met a couple of nice local boys, who had seemed quite interested in her. Montague's interests seemed far too obscure, and, while she still loved him, he did seem - well, old! And she did enjoy a little flirt.